How much does a aircraft cargo handling supervisor make?
The median aircraft cargo handling supervisor in the United States earns $58,170 per year, about $27.97 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all aircraft cargo handling supervisors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-1041.
Aircraft cargo handling supervisor salary range
Pay for aircraft cargo handling supervisors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $41,690 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $92,160. The average (mean) wage of $65,010 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,690 | $20.04 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $49,820 | $23.95 | |
| Median (50th) | $58,170 | $27.97 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $78,530 | $37.75 | |
| 90th percentile | $92,160 | $44.31 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for aircraft cargo handling supervisors (SOC 53-1041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Aircraft cargo handling supervisor salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Aircraft cargo handling supervisors earn the most in Georgia at $81,380 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $41,600. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | $81,380 | 150 |
| Ohio | $79,650 | 100 |
| Louisiana | $79,460 | 40 |
| Colorado | $79,260 | 190 |
| Connecticut | $78,770 | 50 |
| Virginia | $78,420 | 240 |
| Missouri | $76,450 | 100 |
| Indiana | $75,880 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,620 | 450 |
| Arizona | $74,780 | 220 |
| Arkansas | $73,520 | 40 |
| New Mexico | $72,760 | 50 |
| Nevada | $70,740 | 170 |
| New Jersey | $65,590 | 60 |
| Florida | $62,240 | 740 |
| South Carolina | $61,470 | 140 |
| Oregon | $61,340 | 110 |
| Washington | $61,090 | 150 |
| California | $60,530 | 1,490 |
| Alabama | $59,460 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $59,130 | 90 |
| Hawaii | $59,120 | 180 |
| Illinois | $58,600 | 530 |
| Alaska | $58,230 | 130 |
| Utah | $57,570 | 80 |
| New York | $57,290 | 250 |
| Idaho | $56,530 | 120 |
| Texas | $56,290 | 1,410 |
| Iowa | $55,030 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $53,560 | 260 |
| Minnesota | $53,100 | 170 |
| Kentucky | $52,530 | 1,010 |
| Massachusetts | $52,470 | 140 |
| New Hampshire | $52,360 | 30 |
| Michigan | $47,850 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $41,600 | 70 |
State median wages for aircraft cargo handling supervisors (SOC 53-1041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for aircraft cargo handling supervisors
The BLS projects employment of aircraft cargo handling supervisors to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 9,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 10,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 900 openings a year for aircraft cargo handling supervisors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an aircraft cargo handling supervisor
The typical entry-level education for aircraft cargo handling supervisors is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an aircraft cargo handling supervisor earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Georgia, $81,380) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $41,600) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 9,760 people work as aircraft cargo handling supervisors in the United States. At $58,170 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Aircraft cargo handling supervisor salary FAQ
How much does an aircraft cargo handling supervisor make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an aircraft cargo handling supervisor is $27.97. The middle half of aircraft cargo handling supervisors earn between $23.95 and $37.75 per hour.
What is the highest aircraft cargo handling supervisor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of aircraft cargo handling supervisors earn more than $92,160 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an aircraft cargo handling supervisor make a year?
The median annual salary for an aircraft cargo handling supervisor is $58,170. The average (mean) wage of $65,010 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an aircraft cargo handling supervisor a well paid job?
At $58,170 a year, an aircraft cargo handling supervisor earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 9,760 people work as aircraft cargo handling supervisors in the United States.
Which state pays aircraft cargo handling supervisors the most?
Georgia has the highest median salary for aircraft cargo handling supervisors at $81,380 a year. Ohio ($79,650) and Louisiana ($79,460) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an aircraft cargo handling supervisor a good career?
Employment of aircraft cargo handling supervisors is projected to grow 9.2% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an aircraft cargo handling supervisor?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for aircraft cargo handling supervisors as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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